Man Escapes Toronto Jail by Posing as Inmate Scheduled for Release, Police Say

Steven Alexander Guzman Marroquin, 32, of Toronto escaped from custody at the Toronto South Detention Centre on Jan. 26, police say. The authorities are asking for the public's help in locating him. Toronto Police handout photos

Toronto police are currently on the lookout for an inmate who has escaped from an Etobicoke jail after allegedly impersonating another prisoner.

Police say Steven Alexander Guzman Marroquin escaped from the Toronto South Detention Centre at 11:58 p.m. on Jan. 26 by pretending to be another inmate who was scheduled to be released from custody.

“Under the guise of another inmate, he was fitted with an ankle monitoring device,” police said in a Jan. 27 press release, adding that the device was removed and located at a gas station near the provincial, maximum-security jail on Horner Avenue.

The 32-year-old Toronto resident is wanted for escaping lawful custody, personation with intent, obstructing a police officer, mischief under $5,000, and theft under $5,000.

Police are describing Guzman Marroquin as dangerous and are warning the public not to approach him.

Police did not say what the escaped inmate was serving time for, but the Toronto South Detention Centre typically houses adult male inmates who are serving short-term sentences of less than two years or are awaiting trial or sentencing.

Police also did not say what happened to the inmate who was supposed to be released. The Epoch Times attempted to reach Toronto South Detention Centre officials for comment but did not hear back before publication.

An image of the suspect has been released by the authorities, who describe him as standing five feet nine inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. Police said he often wears his hair in a ponytail and has a beard.

Police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 911 immediately. Anyone with other information about the suspect is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Toronto Police have released an image of a suspect in an assault at Wellesley Subway Station earlier this week. Toronto Police handout photo

Assault Investigation

Police are also asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect in an assault earlier this week at Wellesley Subway Station.

Police responded to a call for an assault in progress at approximately 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 after a “physical altercation” erupted on a northbound subway train.

The altercation continued when the train doors opened at Wellesley and the victim and suspect exited onto the platform, police said in a Jan. 27 press release.

“The suspect kicked the victim several times before fleeing the station,” police said. “The victim sustained life-threatening injuries.”

The suspect is described as a six-foot-tall male wearing a black horizontal puffer jacket with the hood pulled up and the authorities have released an image in an attempt to identify him.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed or recorded the incident to contact police or Crime Stoppers.